Manga: The Minister Delegate in charge of Animal Resources, Dr. Amadou Dicko, presided over a significant event in Sondré-Est, located in the Centre-Sud region, where he delivered boundary and registration documents for 14,266 hectares of land designated for pastoral activities. This formalization marks a crucial step in securing the pastoral zone, safeguarding it for future agricultural and pastoral use.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event witnessed the presence of local agropastoralists, breeders, local authorities, stakeholders in land governance, and technical and financial partners, notably the Swiss cooperation and SNV Burkina Faso. Dr. Amadou Dicko highlighted the achievement as Sondré-Est becoming the first fully secured pastoral zone in the country through the registration of its perimeter. He handed the official documents to local authorities, emphasizing the government’s long-term goal of establishing modern pastoral zones, including the Sonde-Est and Bagré zones, as part of an agro
-pastoral and fishing initiative launched in 2023.
The Minister further outlined the next phase post-land security, which involves substantial investments to enhance the area’s productivity in milk and meat and improve the well-being of the local population. Planned projects include water supply drilling, vaccination parks, hydro-agricultural developments for fodder cultivation, milk collection centers, and socio-economic infrastructure aimed at boosting the living conditions of residents.
Kassoum Ouédraogo, the MODHEM + DDC project coordinator, recounted that the registration process began in 2021 with a participatory diagnosis. Dr. Amadou Dicko underscored the importance of creating secure conditions for breeders to access pastoral resources, restricting uncontrolled animal movements, and countering predation. He noted that while the zone was originally 16,000 hectares when established by decree in 1974, only 14,000 hectares could be secured.
Ousmane Zoungrana, the coordinator of the National Agency for
Land and Public Bodies (ANDFOP), emphasized that land titles provide ownership rights, acting as “birth certificates” for the land. Adama Boro, Director General of Land, Training and Rural World Organization, affirmed that this registration allows the Ministry in charge of Animal Resources to proceed with anticipated investments.
The MODHEM+/SDC project, funded by the Swiss Cooperation office, played a pivotal role in the registration process, as highlighted by Kassoum Ouédraogo. The project has been instrumental since 2021, addressing the critical need for land security through a participatory diagnosis and subsequent stages until the registration was completed.
Governor Yvette Nacoulma of the Centre-South region acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the MODHEM + DDC project and other partners in establishing the registration documents. She expressed optimism that these efforts would lead to significant structural investments benefiting local populations and the broader Burkina Faso.
Lastly, Sayoub
ou Diallo, president of the Management Committee of the Sondré-Est pastoral zone, expressed immense joy upon receiving the legal documents. He assured that breeders in the area are committed to enhancing production and supporting the agro-pastoral and fishing initiative at all levels once the investments commence.